Adara awoke to the distant murmur of Beast-kin working on the Danafran docks. The Beast-kin began work well before dawn and today was no different. During winter Seocuria only dropped slightly in temperature, the faintly cool air felt extremely pleasant against her skin as it flowed through the large open window. She rolled to one side, praying to any god that would listen, that she could have the day off. But she knew it was never to be.

“Another day.” Adara ran a hand through her loose hair. “I really need a day off.”

“You had one recently.” A deep voice whispered, hot breath tickling her ear. “And without you the Slave House would completely collapse in a matter of days.”

“I don’t know about that.” Adara sighed, turning towards the voice. “But I’d like to think so.”

Adara shared her bed with Acqwon. He wasn’t a Seocurian, rather a tamed male Minotaur Beast-kin, one of the best from the Pleasure Houses. Normally he would have been sold to some degenerate woman, perhaps someone from Bebbezzar or Graterious seeking an exotic thrill, but Adara had been smitten the moment she laid eyes upon him; his large muscles, perfectly smooth grey coat and certain other aspects.

“Can’t you do my job for today?” Adara asked.

Acqwon gently stroked her hair, his large powerful fingers easily brushing her hair aside. He, like many Beast-kin, could easily kill her, especially in her current defenceless and vulnerable form. Acqwon had never raised his hand in anger towards her, the Pleasure Houses wouldn’t be in business if they couldn’t train a Beast-kin properly.

“Do you think they’ll listen to me?” Acqwon laughed, Adara felt his body rumble through the soft bed. “Maybe they would…They’d know that things can actually get better.”

Adara rolled over and scratched his powerful chest. “I suppose that I’d better get up.”

Adara threw the plush covers away, they alone were worth more than several slaves, and moved to the open window to watch the people, and Beast-kin, working outside. Most windows in Danafra, and in most of Seocuria, were open and designed to allow the hot air out during the night. Of course not those in the buildings containing slaves. Those had metal or wooden bars, not that the Beast-kin would be foolish enough to try and escape.

She watched the docks from her high vantage point, quietly humming and twiddling her rear, watching the Beast-kin and their masters begin the busy day. She cared not if they saw her naked. What could they possibly do? Down below she saw some young Seocurians stare and gawk. She blew them a kiss as the boys laughed and jeered.

“Where’s Zhaire?” Acqwon asked. Unfortunately he was already wearing his pants when Adara looked back, such a shame. His chest was still exposed.

“I’m sure he’s just sleeping in.” Adara raised her hands and stretched her chest out. She closed her eyes but she knew that Acqwon was staring with desire.

“What slave is allowed to have a sleep in?” Acqwon roughly rubbed his curled horns, removing a layer of dried skin. “Besides, you know what he really wants.”

“He’s so much cuter that way.” Adara ran a hand over her toned body. “Knowing he never will and that you do every night.”

Acqwon smiled and put on his shirt. Unlike most slaves his was of decent quality, not as much as a normal Seocurian citizen but it put him leagues above the others.

“Do you want me to dress you or do want me to find Zhaire?”

“I’ll let Zhaire.” Adara smiled devilishly. “I love to watch him struggle.”

Acqwon walked to the door, his hooves clacking on the hard wooden floor, when it flew open. A sheep Beast-kin, a young boy, dashed through. Zhaire had been bought at the same time as Acqwon, a young and extremely nervous Beast-kin that Adara took pity on, with the change left over from Acqwon’s purchase. Adara was drawn to his nervous disposition, and most importantly, an extremely thick and fluffy white coat. Like Acqwon his feet weren’t humanoid nor were they a solid hoof, rather four large toes, but he still had normal fingers.

“Sorry I’m late.” He bowed his head, his forehead touching the bundle of clothes in his hands. “I thought someone had brought these in from the other day.”

Acqwon shrugged and refused to apologise. He often picked on Zhaire, but the little sheep never stood up for himself. He did once but that ended very badly for him. He couldn’t walk for days…

“Doesn’t matter.” Adara sighed. “The Seocurian leaders are having another meeting.”

“The plantation that was attacked?” Acqwon asked.

Zhaire placed the clothes on the bed and held out Adara’s underwear, a very thin white set of silken panties and brassier.

“How do you know about that?” Adara asked slyly. “No one should know about that.”

“The brute is sticking his head into places it doesn’t belong.” Zhaire grumbled.

“And where you aren’t allowed.” Acqwon sat on the bed. “Isn’t that right?”

Zhaire ignored the jab and slowly dressed Adara, taking his time to brush his fingers against her skin. Adara smiled as he received he indulged himself, the little that he could.

“But it is serious.” Adara raised her arms as Zhaire dragged a small stool so he could reach over her head. “They’re nervous. Very nervous.”

Acqwon scoffed. “Just like when winter came four days too early? Those fools are far too jumpy.”

The room fell silent as Zhaire finished dressing Adara. The dress he had chosen was, as ever, perfect for her mood; a low cut bright orange dress with a bright red flower mounted on her shoulder. Adara breathed deep the sweet nectar.

“This is just what I needed.” Adara turned to Zhaire, the young Beast-kin smiling warmly. “Thank you.”

Adara kissed his cheek lightly and hugged the Beast-kin tight. Zhaire flinched but quickly returned the hold.

Reward and punishment. That’s how you tame beasts…Then they’ll do whatever you want.

“Thank you.” Zhaire’s exposed skin turned red. “I thought of you when I picked the flower.”

“Stop teasing him.” Acqwon rose from the bed. “You’re making me embarrassed.”

Zhaire stuck out his tongue, Acqwon closed his eyes and shook his head.

“So how did you know about the plantation?” Adara gently stroked Zhaire’s soft and fluffy white fur, his main duty when he was with Adara.

“You told me about it?” Acqwon raised a bushy brow.

Adara played coy and innocent. The memories came flooding back, several days ago, during her post-coital bliss she had spoken with Acqwon about several things that were troubling her at work, perhaps to get some advice or simply just talk with someone to get it off her chest. He listened intently and offered his thoughts, not that he had much choice. Not if he wanted his supply of drugs cut off.

“Whatever.” Adara shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now. Soon everyone will know about it anyway.”

“Bandits?” Zhaire asked.

“No. No, I don’t think so.”

“Bandits wouldn’t kill every Seocurian and disappear the Beast-kin slaves.” Acqwon added.

Adara nodded, gently holding her chin. “Something is happening. Something tells me this will be big. But that’s beyond my concerns right now. I need to head to work. Another large shipment of slaves is heading out and I need to make sure everything moves easily.”

Adara checked both for any signs of anger or resentment at their treatment of their fellow Beast-kin. She didn’t know if they could keep it well hidden or it was the drugs but they kept their faces flat and devoid of any new emotion.

“But breakfast first.” Adara clapped her hands. “Zhaire, tell me what treats you have cooked up for us today.”

---[]---

With their stomachs filled they left their home and began walking towards the central Slave House, the giant dome looming over Danafra. She wasn’t concerned about someone breaking into their house, not only were thieves and criminals treated extremely harshly in Seocuria her home was protected by a small contingent of Danafran Guards, protecting not only her home but a number of dignitaries and other important Seocurians. Adara swore she saw a Graterian ambassador enjoying his time with a Rabbit Beast-kin, uncaring they were screaming out of an open window.

“Mistress.” Zhaire reached out for her hand, unwilling to make the final move to actually touch her. “Please? My head is killing me.”

“What’s wrong?” Adara knew perfectly well what was happening.

Zhaire began to pound his head, the other hand scratching at his chest. “I haven’t had any pills since two days ago. I’m going crazy without them.”

“But you were fine during breakfast.” Adara led them away from the street to a disused alleyway. “Surely you can wait until tonight.”

Acqwon scoffed. However Adara knew the truth. He was enduring much, much worse. Only his mental strength kept him from clawing at his head. His muscles twitched as he watched Zhaire’s mind-splitting headache grow to immobilise the young Beast-kin.

“Please, Mistress.” Zhaire’s voice was little more than a whimper.

“Fine.” Adara reached into a small pocket of her dress and produced a small pink pill.

Zhaire’s eyes bulged at the sight. He shuffled forward, the pain in his mind evaporated instantly, and reached for the pill. Adara snapped it away. The look of loss on his face was utterly divine.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Adara pulled Zhaire closer, the small Beast-kin fell utterly limp, and against her leg. He was extremely excited, not that he could do much after she had lain with Acqwon every night for many winters, but Adara found his desperation intoxicating. She opened his mouth and rammed the pill down his throat before throwing him back. Zhaire grunted as he skidded along the dirty ground, his white coat stained by the dirt, as he desperately chewed the pill.

“I couldn’t help myself.” Adara giggled sweetly, pulling Zhaire up and brushing away the dirt and dust. “You just look so cute when you beg.”

Zhaire’s previous cute and joyful self had completely vanished. Now he was nothing more than a crazed drug addict, his eyes red and crazed, his limbs trembling while he licked his lips.

“Forgive me, Mistress.” Zhaire shook his head. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Came over you?” Adara kissed his forehead again. Zhaire’s trembling body calmed as the redness faded from his eyes. This was the most physical attention he had received in one day for a long time. “My white fluffy boy, I was the mean one. You are still my favourite fluffy toy.”

But nowhere near as stimulating as the other one.

Adara brought Zhaire into a hug, he took considerable effort not to grab her rear, while she looked to Acqwon. The Minotaur Beast-kin’s eyes and lips trembled, not out of jealousy but from withdrawal.

“Since Zhaire is so much more honest I think that you can wait until tonight before receiving yours.” Adara broke from Zhaire. “Unless you’re willing to grovel before us.”

“Us?” Zhaire asked softly.

Adara nodded. “Us. Zhaire was honest, like he always is. So I think that it might be your turn to be nicer. And more...Obedient.”

Acqwon’s eye twitched but he still dropped to one knee. Adara winked at Zhaire as she gave him the small pink pill. Zhaire smiled at Acqwon, knowing that, for once, that he held all the power.

“Here you go.” Zhaire passed Acqwon the pink pill.

“T...Thanks.” Acqwon frowned. “Of…”

“We’re friends. Right?”

Acqwon raised a brow. “I guess…”

Well, I suppose that works. Maybe I should be a little nicer to him. Maybe give him a kiss before I take Acqwon to bed. I’m sure he’d love that.

Acqwon’s eyes flicked away from Zhaire and to something behind Adara. Zhaire looked and shied away. When she looked behind her a chill ran through her blood. Thirty heavily armed Seocurian soldiers, armed far better than the Danafran Guards, approached her with a speed reserved for criminals.

“What’s happening?” Zhaire shied behind Acqwon.

“Lady Adara.” The lead soldier stopped but a few feet away. Acqwon was ready to attack but it would be utterly suicidal for him to act without an explicit order from her. The Seocurians could never allow a Beast-kin to strike a guard without severe punishment.

“Yes?” Adara was completely defenceless and her dress severely limited her movement, not that she could outrun them. Or their arrows.

“The Oligarchs wish to speak with you immediately.” The soldier glanced at her Beast-kin. “There has been another incident.”

“How bad is it that they have involved me?”

“Multiple times worse.” The soldier rotated his shoulder. “I’ve been ordered to bring you immediately. Your servants-”

“I understand.” Adara turned to her Beast-kin. “Return home. I don’t know when I will be done with this.”

Acqwon and Zhaire glanced at one another, bowed and left. Adara grumbled as she watched her two favourite Beast-kin walked away.

“Lead on.”

---[]---

Adara felt rather…out of place in the open air meeting on top of the second largest building in Danafra. The others attending the meeting, leaders of the Seocurian Empire were very old, doubly so compared to her and Adara wasn’t that young. Despite their age they did not appear dim and riddle with senility, at least yet. Unfortunately she was the youngest and wore the least clothing, something that the other men made painfully obvious.

“May I ask why I am here?” Adara asked.

A Seocurian servant pulled out a seat for her. Obviously they wouldn’t have Beast-kin present, not with something so sensitive.

“As the manager of the Danfran Slave House we thought you might have a perspective on this event.” An older man began. “We are rather lost at the moment.”

“I still don’t know why you brought me specifically.” Adara placed her hands in her lap. “I’m sure there is someone more qualified.”

For most of her life Adara avoided the rivalries between the families. She wasn’t the wealthiest person present; she was still alive, more than could be said of the many, many pawns in their plays and games.

“You were asked for specifically.” A woman drew deeply on a long thin pipe, blowing the grey-blue smoke only to be whisked away by the light breeze. “Your time will be compensated for more than adequately.”

“Since we are almost all assembled-”

“We’re still missing one.” The woman motioned to an empty chair.

“He was the one to call this meeting.” Another man shrugged lightly. “He already understands what is happening. I have only just received the report from our scouts. So...” His eyes scanned those present and the servants waiting patiently to the side along with the guards. “Leave us.”

Without protest they bowed and left. The man waited until they had left before speaking again.

“This second attack is almost identical to the first.” He produced a small piece of paper, worn and wrinkled from travel. “Every Seocurian was killed, the buildings burned and the Beast-kin slaves missing. Every single one.”

“Any sign of where they went?” The first woman asked, again drawing on the long pipe. How she wasn’t coughing and spluttering after smoking so much was a mystery. Adara spied her neck muscles twinging to fight down the urge. “A few hundred slaves cannot just disappear without leaving tracks.”

“Nothing.” The man frowned. “That’s not exactly true. The scouts found trails leading to and from the plantations from a single point to the nearby forests. However, they completely disappear after that. There have been no signs of the carts or caravans necessary to carry that many…For whatever purpose they’re taking the Beast-kin slaves.”

“Why?” Adara frowned. “If they wanted slaves they could simply buy them. I know of many that are extremely cheap.”

“Exactly.” The man smiled, a momentary glance to Adara’s chest. “That’s why it’s so confusing. There are magical rituals that require sacrifices but it would be far, far cheaper to buy a dying slave.”

“What’s the connection between the two attacks?” Adara asked.

“The plantations are all owned by different people.” The man tapped the paper. “Nothing remarkable about them.”

“Except their remoteness.” A calm voice spoke from behind Adara.

A Seocurian man, wearing light armour and short Adamantium blade, joined their meeting. The Seocurian man, an older man with a rare greying of his black hair, carried himself with a bearing that befitted his modest yet regal appearance. Adara’s eyes fell upon the white metal sword on his hips. Adamantium. The blade alone was worth more than everything Adara owned.

“Their remoteness, not truly geographical, but to other cities, and potential reinforcements, is the only thing that connects them.”

As he moved towards the empty chair two Seocurian women emerged. They were soldiers, at least for ceremonial purposes. At least Adara hoped they were ceremonial; the Seocurian women only had armour to cover their chest and shoulders. Admittedly it was made from Bosciycium but everything else lay unprotected, especially their legs. Their short red dress was barely long enough to cover their rears, beneath that were a pair of strong, toned legs. Their long hair was kept in a long ponytail, immaculately cut and maintained to an identical length. Two Bosciycium short swords hanged from their hips along with six small daggers attached to a thin white strap on the upper left thigh.

What are these for? Intimidation? Distraction perhaps? It appears to be working for half of those present. More than half.

The man took his seat, the two women flanked him, keeping their faces perfectly flat.

"Both sites are almost a day away from any sort of significant reinforcements." The new man smiled and took the small piece of paper. "So long as the maps are accurate. And none of you have built some sort of hidden base. Yes?"

“Rafiki.” The man snatched the paper back. “If you wanted to have us all gather for this meeting I suggest that you should be punctual. If anything you should be here first.”

He nodded to the two women. “And who are they? Another of your tamed creations?”

Rafiki smiled, not sparing a glance back. “Of course. But I didn’t need drugs or whips for them.” He leant back into his chair. “They just needed some convincing.”

Adara checked their exposed body for any sign of extensive beatings of whippings. Some of the more volatile and effective drugs left marks, boils and scars in certain areas, but Adara found none. Did Rafiki mean sexual dominance? She found that quite preposterous. More than likely it was money…Or brainwashing and indoctrination from birth.

“I was delayed.” Rafiki laughed. “Not with these two, no. Some other work. But I am concerned with these attacks.”

“Still,” The first man shuffled. “Still, it’s not even a thousand Beast-kin slaves. We won’t even notice it.”

Rafiki scoffed. “You say that now…Do you have any ideas? Any idea of who’s doing this?”

I still don’t know why I’m here.

“No? Of course you don’t.” Rafiki snapped his fingers, one of the guard women produced a small cloth package from somewhere. “But I do. I wouldn’t have bothered you all if I hadn’t.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” A second woman chuckled. “When you lost your precious Feline Beast-kin.” She leant forward, smirking, uncaring that Rafiki and her two guards were the only people present with weapons. “For days you moaned and groaned to me about losing her.”

Rafiki tapped the small bundle of cloth. His face remained flat until it burst into a smile, one incredibly forced.

“I remember her…” Rafiki smiled. “Oh Marion, what sweet cries you made. But.” Rafiki clapped his hands. “That is in the past now.”

Rafiki glanced at Adara.

“I haven’t had a chance to catch up with you, Adara. I heard that she finally sold?”

“Yes.” Adara forced herself to remain calm. “Sold for a significant sum, especially for an older-”

“Can we please focus on the point of this meeting” The woman exhaled another burst of smoke. “Reminisce on your past conquests on your own time. Don’t waste ours.”

Rafiki pursed his lips before nodding once. “You’re right. We have time for reminiscing later.” Rafiki opened the cloth bundle. Whatever it was it was very small, but Rafiki held back from completely revealing the object.

“The people that launch these attacks are extremely good.” Rafiki smiled. “They leave almost no trace, and yet they can move hundreds of Beast-kin and their own forces without being seen. Or tracked. And since the reformists have been killed, I doubt it’s a Seocurian. In fact, it’s not a human.”

“Beast-kin bandits?” The second woman asked.

“If only.” Rafiki flicked away the last fold of cloth. “Then it would make a lot more sense. More than this.”

Rafiki held a small iron arrow head. It wasn’t one of theirs, nor any Kingdom or Empire that she knew of, not even from the Holy Kingsland or the Xiam Dynasty.

“This.” Rafiki spun the piece of metal. “This is a Dark Elf arrow head. I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t know. Those long eared bastards almost never leave their mist wrapped isles. Until very recently that is.”

“So it’s the Dark Elves!” The first man thumped the table, no one voiced their agreement. “No? They don’t exactly like outsiders.”

“True.” Rafiki tossed the arrow head at the man. “But they have started trading with Bebbezzar and even our most western ports. Only small vessels for now but we’re seeing decent trade with them. But I do not believe it’s them. Not entirely.”

The smoking woman gnawed lightly on her pipe. “What reason do they have to attack our plantations and our people?”

“None. Not even their most rebellious and vicious pirate clan, the Green Moon, have the desire or strength to attack us.” Rafiki shrugged. “Besides, no seafaring pirate would raid so far inland. Doubly so when everything of value, apart from the slaves, was left behind and burned.”

“We’re still no further to the truth of the matter than before.” Someone grumbled.

And I still don’t know why I’m here.

“Despite what I’ve said I don’t think the Dark Elves are the cause of this. No. Something, someone, is using the Dark Elves as soldiers or mercenaries.”

“And yet you managed to find an arrowhead?” The first woman raised a brow. “I remember that he Dark Elves were always extremely cautious and extremely skilled, in all things. Surely this is not just an attempt to lure is in the wrong direction?”

Rafiki nodded. “Of course that is a possibility. However, there is a limit to what we can see with our own eyes, simply because there we have only so long to live. There are times that we have to take things as a matter of faith. I have faith that you all have some measure of wealth, even though I have never seen your gold or jewels. Nor can I really be certain that you actually own anything. I could be wrong, but I have to have that faith...Anyway. Please believe me that the Dark Elves were involved in this attack.”

“So where did you find this?” The first man held the arrow head aloft. “It looks burnt.”

“It was concealed underneath a burnt beam,” Rafiki took a deep breath. “Hidden underneath a young child’s corpse. They had been burnt alive, along with the rest of their family.”

“That…” Adara quickly trailed off.

“Is disgusting.” Rafiki nodded. “Tell me, Adara, have the Beast-kin been acting oddly in the past few days? Defiance...Or overly compliant?”

“Too much?” Adara tilted her head and squinted her eyes slightly.

“If they become too obedient it might be a sign they are ready to rebel. Or...Whatever these attackers are doing to them.”

Adara cast her mind back to her two pets. They had been quite friendly, all things considered, but nothing was amiss there. She knew Rafiki spoke of her work but nothing had changed there either.

“Nothing that I can think of.”

“I see…That is a shame. At least we would have a few more clues than just a burnt Dark Elf arrow head.”

Is that it?! Just for a single question? Perhaps I should be grateful and just keep my mouth shut.

“Perhaps they left it there.” The first man placed it onto the table. “As we just said, a lure, of sorts.”

“Perhaps.” Rafiki slowly nodded. “I have no way of disproving that. But you have to admit that it is a very unlikely reason. It would make more sense for it to be from a Dark Elf that didn’t recover all of their arrows. Imagine if you were this Dark Elf.” Rafiki crossed his legs and leant back into his chair. “You’re a part of whatever group has done this, for whatever reason. They have gone to great lengths to cover their tracks and pick plantations that are remote and far from most support. You attack, everything goes well, you recover your arrows and torch the place.”

“Right…”

“Then you get home and you realise an arrow is completely unaccounted for.” Rafiki smiled and leant forward. “What would you do? Would you tell the people organising this whole thing and risk their ire? Or would you just forget that you were missing an arrow? I know which one I would do.”

“You would tell them?”

Rafiki scoffed. “Of course not, you old fool. And anyone that says they would is an idiot or a liar. No one would admit to such a thing.”

The second woman drew on her pipe again. “Your little story is wonderful, Rafiki. I can see that your father’s lessons finally paid off.”

Rafiki smirked in silence.

“But we are still no closer to a solution.”

“I’ve had a list of probable sites where these people will hit next.”

Rafiki’s other bodyguard brought out a large map of the Seocurian Empire. Five areas had been marked.

“Judging by the distance from known fortresses and military basses, one of these five areas will be the next target. Of course they could simply hit a smaller plantation just to make a liar out of me but I believe it’ll be one of these five.”

“And how can you be so sure?” A third Seocurian man asked.

Rafiki rolled his eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just pulling all of this out of my arse. But I’m the only one with a plan. What? When one of you found out the Dark Elves were involved somehow, which you would have eventually, you would have launched a full invasion?”

Several of the leaders looked away in shame. Rafiki grunted and dramatically folded his arms.

“Honestly.”

“Do you think Danafra is a target?” Adara asked softly. “We have many, many slaves. And should Danafra burn…”

“The Seocurian Empire would continue on. Albeit slightly diminished.” Rafiki smiled as he overlooked the city. “Perhaps it’s time for it to be rebuilt. I see so much shoddy construction work…”

“Surely you jest.” Adara forced a laugh. “We lost so many slaves and people during the riots.”

“Who said I was joking?”

A silence filled the air.

Rafiki folded the cloth and passed it back to his guards.

“I will send my soldiers to these locations to bolster the local defences. Given the lack of dead attackers we will need to send in large numbers, bolstered by Mages. Perhaps even mercenaries from the Deweth Clansmen.”

“That’s expensive.” The first man said.

Rafiki smiled. “It won’t be just me, of course. No. The rest of you will be contributing.”

The grumbles of discontent quickly grew. Rafiki raised his hand.

“And should anyone not contribute I’ll kill them, their family and take everything they have. Or do you all think it is fair that I take on this unknown enemy by myself?”

No one refused. Each in turn offered their support. Adara noticed that the guards took careful note of their body language as they spoke.

Adara shuffled as the attention fell on her. “The Danafran Slave House has numerous guards but not enough to meaningfully contribute without leaving the Slave Houses undefended.”

“I wouldn’t dream about asking for that.” Rafiki smiled warmly. “Your guards are ideal for ensuring the Beast-kin’s compliance. Taking them away would cause severe issues. And alert the Beast-kin that something’s wrong. They’ll hear about this eventually, especially if there are more attacks.”

Adara returned a single nod.

Rafiki clapped his hands. “That’s all that we can do right now. Regarding the attacks on our plantations.” Rafiki smiled devilishly. “But there is something else that I would like to discuss. After you have assigned your forces. Don’t move everyone to these locations, I suspect that they simply won’t attack if they see a massive army waiting nearby. I know I wouldn’t.”

“And this thing is?”

“Later.” Rafiki lent back. “But, by all means, have something to drink before you return. I wish to discuss something with Adara. And I’d prefer it without interruptions.”

The other leaders shared a glance and rose from their chairs. Some looked for their assistants, quickly realising they were alone, grumbled and moved to the door. Rafiki ensured that Adara didn’t rise, not that she was about to.

“Is it wise ordering them about like that?” Adara waited until everyone was gone before speaking. “You aren’t the ruler of the Seocurian Empire. Technically, no one is.”

Rafiki laughed, his lips curled up in an honest smile. “Perhaps. But they still listened. Didn’t they?”

“How may I assist you, Lord Rafiki?”

“I am curious to hear that Marion sold.” Rafiki’s eyebrows furrowed as he rested his hands on the table, idly playing with the small bundle of cloth. “Why was she sent to the Pleasure House?”

Adara knew she had to choose her words very carefully. “She attacked a guard, injured him quite severely. There was no way that she could be allowed to go free after that.”

Rafiki remained perfectly silent, his eyes only focused on the cloth in his hands.

“We could not show favouritism. Especially considering that I didn’t know that you…still had your eye on here.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Rafiki tossed the cloth to the guards. Only one moved to snatch it from the air, her movements were not natural even for a trained soldier. “She was effectively useless to me after losing Kal. Her…Our, half-breed daughter. She couldn’t have another, no matter what we tried, so I lost interest. Still, I do grow…What’s the right word? Wistful? About her. I’m not sure. So who bought her?”

“A Graterian man. He had three women with him; a Silver Eagle Clanswoman, a Bebbezzarian and a woman wearing a mask. Couldn’t see any of her skin but I could tell that she was a woman.”

“So how much did my precious Marion sell for?”

“Sixty seven gold coins.”

Rafiki coughed at the price, the two guards showed the first sign of emotion, just a moment of surprise.

“Sixty seven? Wow. Who knew she still had it in her.” Rafiki smiled. “Such a shame. If I’d known…”

A silence filled the air. Adara didn’t like the silence, it felt like something was building within the man, something that she didn’t want to be the target of.

“They also bought another two Minotaurs during the same sale. In fact…They were either side of her.” Adara shrugged as Rafiki raised a brow. “Didn’t think much of it at the time. I received a nice commission out of those sales.”

“If they were anything like Marion’s price then I bet you did.” Rafiki smiled. “You probably wouldn’t have to work for a whole winter while living in a mansion.”

“It was a lot…”

“What?”

Adara shifted in her chair. “There was something odd about them.”

“More than someone from Graterious travelling all the way to Danafra to buy slaves?” Rafiki leant back into his chair. “There are a dozen ports between here and the border…Why bother?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at the clear blue sky. “Tell me. What did he look like?”

“Um…Pretty normal. Normal height, I suppose. No real scars, but he was missing a finger. The others were rather normal as well…Though I thought their composition was odd.”

“How did he get a Clanswoman to follow him?” Rafiki shrugged. “Maybe I’ll have to have a chat with this person. Find out what I can learn.”

From what I remember it wasn’t anything like what you’ve done.

“So what was so strange? Other than one completely covered in cloth.”

“It was the coins. They weren’t from Graterious or Seocuria. The gold was good, excellent quality, but the markings were strange.”

“Perhaps they’re from Frindal? Or Xiam…No. Definitely not there. Sounds more like the Kingsland than anything.”

“The gold coins had an eight pointed crown.” Adara continued. “The staff asked me if that was fine, it was pure, extremely pure. Far more than our coins. But I’ve never seen that marking before. Do you think it’s a custom coin?”

Rafiki laughed, slapping the table. “Hardly! No, that belongs to the dead Kar Kingdom. They’re long gone and yet…Someone that bought all those Beast-kin slaves using a dead currency…”

Rafiki’s eyes lit up. “Who else would want to rescue an old Beast-kin, to come so far north? It wouldn’t be too difficult to hide a Half-Breed like her. She looks human enough, especially with some cloth…” Rafiki turned to Adara, his face continued to smile but his eyes, his eyes were nothing but ice. “Why didn’t you force them to reveal her face?”

Adara clasped her fingers tight, where none could see them. “They had bought a great many slaves, to start a plantation near the border with Graterious. We didn’t question it since the gold was good and the slaves needed moving out of the Slave House. I didn’t want to offend a prospective buyer. I know that you wouldn’t like it if we asked everyone what they were going to do with the Beast-kin.”

Rafiki took a deep breath, slowly the life returned to his eyes. “Understandable. I, I know many that wouldn’t want their faces associated with what they do. Ah, what vices gold can unleash.”

“That’s all I know about them.” Adara bowed her head lightly. “They registered and followed all procedures correctly…Do you think there’s something more to this?”

“What? You think they might be involved with the assaults?” Rafiki’s bemused smile slowly faded. “Well…They bought Marion…And I’m sure that if some human was close enough to Kal to willingly risk themselves to rescue her mother…”

Rafiki turned to the guard on his right. “Investigate this…What was his name?”

“Anton.”

“Anton and everything that he’s doing. Strange for someone to be building a new plantation near the Graterian border and come all this way. No. That’s too suspicious.”

“The map of the Kar Kingdom?” The other guard asked.

“Please.”

She bowed and hurried towards the door. Adara didn’t know what to make of her extremely short dress, she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

“If I remember correctly there’s only one port there. That narrows things. I’ll pay a few Graterian captains to make the journey. ” Rafiki shook his head. “And anything lurking there needs to go past Graterious.”

Rafiki leant back into his chair. “I wonder what they’re up to, my lovely little girls. At least the next topic I’m sure will tickle their fancy, doubly so with how much money they’ll be making.”

Rafiki chuckled. “War is always profitable. Especially with those boastful Bebbezzarian pricks.”